This is an on-going discussion at our house. I think he needs mobility tools, like a cane or walker, he doesn’t agree. My husband calls it “postponing acceptance”. He fights back against using helpful tools because he doesn’t want to give in to Parkinson’s any more than is absolutely necessary. Whatever it is, I think it can be helpful as long as it is grounded in reality.

I am not the one living with this disease so I can never really know how it is impacting his body. I don’t have issues with balance or fatigue. What I do know is that the man I love struggles with what should be simple activities of daily living. There is a decline in his ability to get around and, if there are tools that can help, I want to make sure he has them. But, just like the proverbial horse to water, I can’t make him use them.

His stubbornness is a tool in itself as he continues to battle the decline. He is determined to stay as healthy and mobile as possible for as long as possible, for which I am very grateful. Maybe I shouldn’t be pushing him to use aids if he truly feels he doesn’t need them yet. Maybe what I should do is make sure they are available for the day  when he is ready and trust him to know best. He will know when it is time to stop postponing and move into acceptance of the next level. I just need to be here to support him when he finally makes that choice.